--> Vitrinite Reflectance and Coal Maceral Composition of the Upper Cretaceous Blackhawk Formation in the Book Cliffs Coal Field, by S. Sommer and B. Hucka; #90986 (1994).
[First Hit]

Datapages, Inc.Print this page

Abstract: Vitrinite Reflectance and Previous HitCoalNext Hit Maceral Composition of the Upper Cretaceous Blackhawk Formation in the Book Cliffs Previous HitCoalNext Hit Field

Steve Sommer, Brigitte Hucka

The coals of four Upper Cretaceous Blackhawk Formation members in the Book Cliffs Previous HitcoalNext Hit field show significant variations in the maceral composition related to changes in depositional and tectonic setting, whereas the beds within each member show compositional similarities. These variations were determined from 165 characterizations of Previous HitcoalNext Hit samples from the Spring Canyon, Aberdeen, Kenilworth, and Sunnyside Sandstone Members of the Blackhawk Formation, the entire Previous HitcoalNext Hit-bearing section of the formation. This study is part of an effort to understand the paleo-environmental conditions which influenced Previous HitcoalNext Hit formation, composition and quality. The results may also help to understand the influence of Previous HitcoalNext Hit composition on the formation and retention of coalbed methane.

Vitrinite reflectance analyses show a high volatile bituminous B rank for most of the Previous HitcoalNext Hit beds with increase in rank to high bituminous A for the easternmost Previous HitcoalNext Hit beds. Relatively high percentages of exinite (8-10 percent) characterize the Previous HitcoalNext Hit beds of the Aberdeen Member whereas the Previous HitcoalNext Hit beds of the Sunnyside Member have the lowest percentages (3-6). Previous HitCoalNext Hit beds of the Kenilworth and Spring Canyon Members have exinite percentages ranging from 4-6 and 5-8 respectively. Inertinite percentages are highest for the Previous HitcoalNext Hit beds of the Kenilworth Member (17-21), with generally lower inertinite percentages for the Previous HitcoalNext Hit beds of the Aberdeen (16-18) Sunnyside (11-15), and Spring Canyon Members (9-15). Vitrinite percentages are highest for the Sunnyside Member (80-84) and the Spring Canyon Member 80-83), and lowest for the Kenilworth (73-79) and Aberdeen Members (73-78). Maps of vitrinite reflectance (% Rm oil) are used to assess the regional variations in Previous HitcoalNext Hit rank and their correlation with Previous HitcoalTop maceral composition.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90986©1994 AAPG Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado, June 12-15, 1994